13 replies to this topic

[PaulColeman]

The front suspension has collapsed on our 1976 Mini 1000. We compressed the doughnut earlier and when we undid the compression tool the nut in the doughnut went bang and is no longer in there. The trumpet also dislodged itself and is now at an angle. Errr... how do I get the trumpet out if I can't compress the doughnut?

 

Thanks, Paul.

[exuptoy]

Something has to be sacrificed!

[minimender]

Could try drilling loads of holes in the rubber with woodbit or something to try and soften it, would have to almost drill it away if that were possible.

[Webstercon]

"Just" dismantle the suspension, might be a little difficult if it's under pressure but with a collapsed cone it should be easy enough I never had the tool and managed to remove my front cones.
IIRC: Jack up the hub to take the pressure off the shock absorber - remove the shock absorber if the cone and doughnut don't fall out you may need to remove the top arm

[PaulColeman]

I have tried jacking up the front suspension and removing the shock absorber. The cone has tilted over at an angle so it's wedged in there and won't budge. The thing which is limiting it now is the fact that the driveshaft is hitting on the suspension so I can't drop it enough to release the cone. To get the hub off the driveshaft you need to compress the cone and I can't do that.

 

Cheers, Paul.

[exuptoy]

I think you need to destroy the cone with a hacksaw or something then replace with HI-LO's and new donuts.

[PaulColeman]

I don't see how you can get at the cone it's in the back of beyond?

[PaulColeman]

Well I've managed to get the rubber cone and trumpet out but I went to rather extreme measures not to butcher it...

 

I couldn't get it out as it was and needed more access. The trumpet was damaged when it wasn't seated properly and I released the pressure on the cone, so I'm going to replace it as I'm not happy putting it back knowing it's damaged.

 

The moral to the story is to make sure the trumpet is seated properly when releasing the pressure on the cone. Lesson learnt and I shall try not to do it again!!

 

I also managed to strip the threads on the compression tool I had so now I'm going to buy a more expensive Pickavant one. Anybody used one and got any comments?

 

Paul.

[Webstercon]

Glad to see it's all done, it's always worth doing a job the long and more complicated way if it avoids damage IMO.

Maybe you should invest in a set of front hi-los as it would eliminate the need for the tool, allow for adjustable ride height and would probably work out cheaper than buying a new tool and trumpet, ofcourse this would mean taking off the other trumpet but I'm sure it's easy enough with the subframe already out. 
Nice looking car by the way! 

[PaulColeman]

I do have to take the other side apart because all the newly replaced rubber on the front suspension has perished... http://www.theminifo...s-rubber-parts/ And I also have to drop the rear subframe to replace the rubber there too grrrrrr

 

I shall investigate these HiLo contraptions you mentioned as I don't know anything about them. If they allow you to set the ride height that would be good because the new cones I fitted make the car sit very high.

 

Cheers, Paul.

Edited by PaulColeman, 09 July 2014 - 07:17 AM.

[Webstercon]

With new cones you may need the compressor, with my spring kit I didn't need a tool I set the hi-los to their lowest setting pop the spring (which replaces the doughnut) up and then the hi-lo in and wind it out until it holds, not sure if this will work with cones but they are superb for adjusting the ride height.

As for the rubber parts perishing I brought a poly bush kit for mine fairly cheap but have yet to test them out, people will argue the merits and drawbacks of poly bushes but for me I think they're ideal. It's a shame about the rubbers though the car looks mint! 

[PaulColeman]

I'm hoping they will cure a problem I have on the rears where the ride height is so high with the new cones that the shock is fully extended and when you go over a bump it bangs, which is obviously not doing the shock a lot of good!!

 

They should be here today so I'd better get the spanners ready...

 

Cheers, Paul.

[Fossy313]

even hard going classic goers switch to hi lo's to get the suspention to the height it should be without letting the cones bed in, they are a part that should be fitted on sandard in mini IMO....

 

minisport ones although i am an avid spares fan have a greese nipple on them which allows you to keep the thread and hi lo's greesed....very good and beneficial added point.

[Mini 360]

In future, just take the top arm off and you can get at it rather easily.